The Cubs are acquiring right-hander Yosver Zulueta from the Mariners, according to reporter Francys Romero. Seattle will reportedly receive a minor leaguer and cash considerations for Zulueta, who was designated for assignment earlier this week. Another transaction will need to be made to open up a spot for Zulueta on Chicago’s 40-man roster.
This is the third time Zulueta has changed teams following a DFA. Originally an international signing for the Blue Jays in 2019, he sent from Toronto to Cincinnati on a waiver claim in March 2024. This led to Zulueta making his MLB debut that year, and he posted a 5.32 ERA in 23 2/3 innings for the Reds over the 2024-25 seasons. When the Reds designated Zulueta this past January, the Mariners worked out a trade to bring the righty to the Pacific Northwest.
Zulueta’s entire stint in Seattle’s organization has been spent at Triple-A Tacoma, and the results haven’t been good — a 5.75 ERA and a 16.3% walk rate over 20 1/3 innings for Rainiers, as well as a modest 21.4% strikeout rate. Zulueta has been generating grounders at a 56.9% rate but he has a .339 BABIP, so some of the damage has come just from some misfortune.
That said, the inflated walk rate has continued the control problems that have followed Zulueta during his pro career. He has a 13.93BB% over 254 1/3 innings during his minor league career, as well as an unspectacular 10.9% walk rate during his brief time in the majors. Zulueta generates a ton of grounders and his high-90s fastball led to some bigger strikeout numbers earlier in his career, so it’s easy to see why teams keep showing interest in the 28-year-old.
Chicago becomes the latest club to see if a fix can be found for Zulueta’s control issues. There’s no real risk for the Cubs in using a 40-man spot as a flier on Zulueta, and he bring a live arm and some big league experience to a bullpen depth chart that has been stretched by injuries this season.
